A thinner, "Retina" MacBook Pro had been rumored for some time, and Apple did not disappoint when it introduced the new 15" Retina MacBook Pro at its Worldwide Developers Conference last week.

Availability has been rather scarce since the notebook's launch last week, but we were able to get our hands on the base $2,199 model for testing. (Many Apple Store retail locations had little or no stock during launch week, as early inventory apparently went to fill a rash of online orders for early adopters).

The base model is more than adequate to get a feel for the new "Retina" redesign. We put the machine through some benchmark paces to look at relative raw performance, and spent a couple of days using the machine for our usual work to get a more subjective impression of the whole package—and we came away impressed.

"Future of notebooks"

Apple could have chosen a simpler path to revising its MacBook Pro. The Retina display could have been a drop-in replacement for the existing 15.4" 1440x900 display. Perhaps it could have removed the optical drive, replaced the boot drive with a MacBook Air-like SSD module, and kept the internal 2.5" bay for optional additional storage in the form of another SSD or a relatively inexpensive, but vastly more massive, HDD. Such a design would have likely sold well, and Apple's designers could move on to the next project (hello, new Mac Pro).

Then again, the company traditionally hasn't had problems pushing consumers to adopt designs they might be uncomfortable with at first. Recall the words that Steve Jobs used when he introduced the redesigned MacBook Air in October 2010: "We've tried to be really aggressive [with the design]," Jobs said. "We see these as the next generation of MacBooks—all notebooks will be like this."

The new 15" Retina MacBook Pro is the first time Apple has applied the same design thinking that went into that new Air to its "pro" notebooks. Spinning hard drives? Gone. Optical storage? Useless anachronism. FireWire and Ethernet? Vestigial, obsolete ports.

But this isn't a stripped-down machine with ultra low voltage processors. The new MacBook Pro differentiates itself from the Air by packing in a quad-core Ivy Bridge processor built on Intel's latest 22nm process. It includes Intel's HD4000 integrated GPU, which isn't quite the pixel-y sloth that past Intel IGPs used to be. It also packs in a discrete NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M mobile GPU with 1GB of dedicated DDR5 memory, and you get at least 8GB of DDR3 RAM standard.

Chris Foresman

All this hardware pumps 5.1 million pixels to the 2880x1800 pixel Retina display—the sharpest, highest resolution display Apple has shipped in any of its computers thus far.

Still, Apple has kept the previous 15" MacBook Pro design around for those that aren't quite ready for the future. It has an upgradeable 2.5" drive slot and two slots for RAM. It also has a full array of ports, including FireWire and gigabit Ethernet. And, perhaps most importantly to those still dependent on CDs and DVDs, it has an optical drive for those who want the convenience of having one built-in.

But making hard decisions about what stayed in and what had to go has allowed Apple to build a machine that's every bit as powerful—and with the right adapters, as capable—as last year's MacBook Pro design. Yet Apple shaved about 27 percent of the volume and over a pound of weight in the process.

Design

The same huge glass trackpad dominates a large portion of the 15" Retina MacBook Pro when opened.

Chris Foresman

If you have seen any unibody MacBook Pro in the last few years, you already have a pretty good idea of what the Retina MacBook Pro looks like. It has the same textured aluminum finish, the same rounded corners, and the same huge trackpad. The display has a uniform black appearance when the screen is off, due to its fused glass panel—similar to the display assembly of the iPhone 4 and 4S.

The keyboard is slightly different from that used on previous Pro models. Its layout is identical to the current MacBook Air, including the extra key in the F13 position that serves as the power button. (The aluminum power button on the upper right is now gone). And like all of Apple's laptops, the keyboard is backlit.

The backlit keyboard is more Air-like, including the revised power button.

Chris Foresman

The feel of the keyboard is also slightly different. The keys themselves have a very slight texture to them. Key travel appears to be slightly reduced. It's hard to quantify, but there's definitely less travel than previous Pros, or even my 2010 MacBook Air. We wouldn't call this bad, per se, but it's something you will notice and may take some time getting used to.

Laser-etched speaker grilles flank either side of the keyboard, and a noise-canceling microphone is hidden behind each.

One area where the new Pro differs from the old design is the addition of small linear vents along the bottom side edges of the casing. These vents are part of the revised cooling system, and Apple claims that the way they are carved into the unibody creates additional torsional rigidity. There's no noticeable flex in either MacBook Pro as far as we can tell, though—both seem pretty solid.

Additional vents line both edges of the Retina MacBook Pro.

Chris Foresman

So the design isn't really new, per se, just slightly refined for this particular model. It's thin, solid, and feels like a professional machine—exactly what you would expect.

The Retina MacBook Pro is essentially the same thickness as a MacBook Air at its thickest point—0.71 inches versus 0.68 inches, respectively.

232 Reader Comments

I don't get what the benefit of a retina display is on the MBP. I mean, one can argue that the iPhone may be held very close to your eyes from time to time, where the increased pixel density would actually make a difference. But a laptop? I'm sure the display looks very impressive when hunched over an inch away from the display, but in reality nobody is going to use one closer than 18-24 inches from their eyes. At that distance, it is physiologically impossible to perceive the increased pixel density over the last generation MBP. Seems like a lot of additional expense for something that is not really necessary.

There is a reason they call this a MacBook 'Pro'. Wait till you a dealing with pixels on a day-to-day basis, and being payed for it, and you will appreciate the difference. (as a graphic designer btw). What always gets me is people saying 'it's over the top, what's the point'... there are plenty of cheaper, attractive alternatives for you... I, for one, cant wait to get rid of painful staircasing pixel curves!

And as for "it is physiologically impossible to perceive the increased pixel density over the last generation MBP"... What?? Ha, rubbish, the difference is pretty darn clear from where i'm sitting... Where is your ludicrous proof that you can't discern individual pixels on a 110ppi display at 18-24 inches, because I certainly can.... (maybe i'm superman :-)

While i'm at it, and posting my third ever comment here, ars your reviews always come a few days late, but are always worth the wait. kutgw.

Anyone here a pro photographer? I ask as we have 3 17" MBP's that our photo staff uses for location work, all with the matte screen. Now that it's no longer an option I'm wondering if I don't pick up a refurb before there gone and sock it away. With the retina display it looks like the color space should be better now that it's an IPS screen but with all the extra pixels will that artificially alter the image? I'd hate that the photographer would change how they shoot based on an image on a laptop screen (yes I realize they shouldn't but you'd be surprised) and then find that it doesn't translate to print as they though it would.

Finally a latop with a decent screen! I wonder how long it will take the other manufacturers to catch up.

I'm still using my 4-year old Thinkpad which has a 1920x1200 15.4" monitor. I bought it shortly before it left the market, and never saw another laptop with a better or equivalent screen again.

There was a QXGA 15" Thinkpad from 2004 or so. It's super rare, although some people have taken replacement screens from that and placed it in T60s. "Only" 170ppi though. The Sony Viao Z can also get a 13.3" 1080p screen which is also 170ppi, so slightly less pixelage but better density.

I think Lenovo and others will soon have laptops with that calibre screen. Although I bet they'll get a 2732x1536(QWXGA?) screen first.

I'm still on OS X 10.6.8 because I can't stand this App Store DRM crap in Lion.

er you mean that App Store DRM crap that I never ever used to install software with, ever, other than to install Lion which was a bargain because it let me install it on multiple machines instead of just one....

Anyone here a pro photographer? I ask as we have 3 17" MBP's that our photo staff uses for location work, all with the matte screen. Now that it's no longer an option I'm wondering if I don't pick up a refurb before there gone and sock it away. With the retina display it looks like the color space should be better now that it's an IPS screen but with all the extra pixels will that artificially alter the image? I'd hate that the photographer would change how they shoot based on an image on a laptop screen (yes I realize they shouldn't but you'd be surprised) and then find that it doesn't translate to print as they though it would.

Pro photographer here, and I would whole-heartedly recommend the Retina MBP for photography work. The IPS display is vastly more color accurate, and the resolution really is so close to looking at an actual print that it's uncanny.

The main drawback is that as it stands, only iPhoto and Aperture actually work properly with the Retina screen. Photoshop (and presumably Lightroom) are yet to be updated, though Adobe is already working on it.

One thing that's nice is you can even see if images aren't sharp enough or whatever just from looking at preview icons in the Finder, so it makes a quick first editing pass super simple and fast.

1 Lack of a Kensington lock. good. They're useless. Our computer labs stopped using them because they ear no deterrent to actual thieves. It's a expensive machine. Keep your flipping eyes on it.

2 Non-repairable. Hogwash. What this is is non-repairable by the average tinkerer. If that's important to you, this is not the machine for you. Apple will gladly repair these.

3 No Ethernet port- too bad. If Ethernet is important, buy the dongle. don't lose the dongle. You'rte a grown up. Take care of your things. If Ethernet is really important to you, buy a different machine.

4 Dongles are not pass through. tough. buy one of many breakout boxes available to you.

This machine is a future concept machine for early adapters. If that isn't you, stick with the other machine options available, all of which were significantly upgraded last week as well. Don't whine about what this machine doesn't have.

Anyone here a pro photographer? I ask as we have 3 17" MBP's that our photo staff uses for location work, all with the matte screen. Now that it's no longer an option I'm wondering if I don't pick up a refurb before there gone and sock it away. With the retina display it looks like the color space should be better now that it's an IPS screen but with all the extra pixels will that artificially alter the image? I'd hate that the photographer would change how they shoot based on an image on a laptop screen (yes I realize they shouldn't but you'd be surprised) and then find that it doesn't translate to print as they though it would.

Pro photographer here, and I would whole-heartedly recommend the Retina MBP for photography work. The IPS display is vastly more color accurate, and the resolution really is so close to looking at an actual print that it's uncanny.

The main drawback is that as it stands, only iPhoto and Aperture actually work properly with the Retina screen. Photoshop (and presumably Lightroom) are yet to be updated, though Adobe is already working on it.

One thing that's nice is you can even see if images aren't sharp enough or whatever just from looking at preview icons in the Finder, so it makes a quick first editing pass super simple and fast.

Didn't think of software compatibility, we use CaptureOne here, I'll need to look into that. Good to hear that your workflow is only enhanced, the lack of a matte screen is getting some people a bit freaked out.

Anyone here a pro photographer? I ask as we have 3 17" MBP's that our photo staff uses for location work, all with the matte screen. Now that it's no longer an option I'm wondering if I don't pick up a refurb before there gone and sock it away. With the retina display it looks like the color space should be better now that it's an IPS screen but with all the extra pixels will that artificially alter the image? I'd hate that the photographer would change how they shoot based on an image on a laptop screen (yes I realize they shouldn't but you'd be surprised) and then find that it doesn't translate to print as they though it would.

I would still calibrate, but I think the expanded perceptual gamut will help more than hinder.

I'm still on OS X 10.6.8 because I can't stand this App Store DRM crap in Lion.

er you mean that App Store DRM crap that I never ever used to install software with, ever, other than to install Lion which was a bargain because it let me install it on multiple machines instead of just one....

DAMN YOU APPLE!

ROFLMAO! Yeah, talk about misinformed and confused. And you can still buy Lion on a USB stick too.

About the lack of granularity in the BTO options available (as soon as you want faster CPU *or* bigger SSD, you have to buy them together): true, but Apple's asking for $600 for those combined, and in every other machine in the current lineup where they offer SSDs, they want $500 to go from 256GB to 512GB. So they're effectively asking only $100 for the CPU upgrade. (And in the various non-Retina MBP models, they want $700 or $800 for the same upgrade -- $500 to take the SSD from 256GB to 512GB and $200 or $300 to take the CPU from 2.3GHz to 2.6GHz.)

Sure, $500 is expensive for 256GB of SSD, and they do force you to get both upgrades together. Still, once I realized this, I hemmed, hawed, and then ordered the up-spec model. More for the storage than the faster CPU; I figure I'll want more storage over the life of the machine.

1 Lack of a Kensington lock. good. They're useless. Our computer labs stopped using them because they ear no deterrent to actual thieves. It's a expensive machine. Keep your flipping eyes on it.

2 Non-repairable. Hogwash. What this is is non-repairable by the average tinkerer. If that's important to you, this is not the machine for you. Apple will gladly repair these.

3 No Ethernet port- too bad. If Ethernet is important, buy the dongle. don't lose the dongle. You'rte a grown up. Take care of your things. If Ethernet is really important to you, buy a different machine.

4 Dongles are not pass through. tough. buy one of many breakout boxes available to you.

This machine is a future concept machine for early adapters. If that isn't you, stick with the other machine options available, all of which were significantly upgraded last week as well. Don't whine about what this machine doesn't have.

I love this logic, because you can basically handwave away any criticism.

I upgraded to a 2.6GHz Retina MBP; 512GB SDD, 8GB Memory. Yeah, I know. Shoulda probably got the 16GB but I am coming from a 13" 2.6GHz C2D w/4GB, which as it is wasn't having much in the way of memory issues. I am a web developer, not a photoshop jockey so 8GB should be fine for the foreseeable future.

- Fan noise is different from my previous MBP. It seems quieter, and it's more like white noise than a typical whirring fan noise. It was obvious to me that it was the fans kicking on but it wasn't disturbing.

- It got HOT playing Diablo 3, even with the fans going full force. If doing something load intensive I would make sure it's on a desk and not in my lap. For normal use it's very comfortable and perfectly fine in my lap. But something that's going to push the machine hard (like playing D3 in 2880x1800), put it on a desk/table.

- D3 (post 1.03 patch) played in 2880x1800 much better than I expected. Not nearly as well as my PC plays it in 1920x1200 but my PC is a 2500K w/a 560 Ti and 16GB of RAM, and obviously 1920 is a lot less pixels to push than 2880. So I was pleasantly surprised. I haven't yet tried Portal or Civ 5 though I've read that it runs those both pretty well. Civ 5: Gods and Kings seems to run better than regular Civ 5 did on my PC, so I'm hoping it might run well on this machine.

- The screen really is amazing. Anyone who says it's pointless either has bad eyesight or just doesn't appreciate a good display. As someone who has always been a fan of quality displays, there was no question I was going to buy this machine as soon as the Apple Store was up after the announcement. I am not at all disappointed. It's the best display I've ever seen on any laptop, and one of the best displays I've ever seen period.

- This is my work machine which I will be working on 8-12 hours a day, and have been working on it since Tuesday this week in 1920x1200 mode, and have no eye strain or fatigue whatsoever. Text looks amazingly smooth and crisp in Retina supporting apps. Unfortunately I do a lot of work in Chrome which has not yet been updated (I use main channel, not Canary, to make sure my work renders properly in the mainstream build.) Looking forward to the Retina patch coming to main channel.

- I never use CDs/DVDs, so the loss of the drive was no loss for more whatsoever.

- 512GB is plenty for me. My old machine had 320GB and was not full even with numerous games, several seasons of TV, etc. on it. I didn't think 256GB would be enough for several years of use without getting to the point of having to delete stuff to avoid getting full, so the 512GB was very appealing. The 768GB option seems too expensive to me.

- If it's time for an upgrade, if you can afford this machine and you're thinking about it, I highly advise pulling the trigger. Everyone who's seen it to so far, even people who aren't big hardware geeks like my GF absolutely love it and want one for themselves.

About the lack of granularity in the BTO options available (as soon as you want faster CPU *or* bigger SSD, you have to buy them together): true, but Apple's asking for $600 for those combined, and in every other machine in the current lineup where they offer SSDs, they want $500 to go from 256GB to 512GB. So they're effectively asking only $100 for the CPU upgrade. (And in the various non-Retina MBP models, they want $700 or $800 for the same upgrade -- $500 to take the SSD from 256GB to 512GB and $200 or $300 to take the CPU from 2.3GHz to 2.6GHz.)

Sure, $500 is expensive for 256GB of SSD, and they do force you to get both upgrades together. Still, once I realized this, I hemmed, hawed, and then ordered the up-spec model. More for the storage than the faster CPU; I figure I'll want more storage over the life of the machine.

Every release cycle, Apple treats their potential consumers with more and more disdain when they offer soldered on components, glued in batteries, and obscene upgrade prices and paths. Does the escalating abuse mixed in with little moments of tenderness mean they love us more?

1 Lack of a Kensington lock. good. They're useless. Our computer labs stopped using them because they ear no deterrent to actual thieves. It's a expensive machine. Keep your flipping eyes on it.

2 Non-repairable. Hogwash. What this is is non-repairable by the average tinkerer. If that's important to you, this is not the machine for you. Apple will gladly repair these.

3 No Ethernet port- too bad. If Ethernet is important, buy the dongle. don't lose the dongle. You'rte a grown up. Take care of your things. If Ethernet is really important to you, buy a different machine.

4 Dongles are not pass through. tough. buy one of many breakout boxes available to you.

This machine is a future concept machine for early adapters. If that isn't you, stick with the other machine options available, all of which were significantly upgraded last week as well. Don't whine about what this machine doesn't have.

I love this logic, because you can basically handwave away any criticism.

Pro photographer here, and I would whole-heartedly recommend the Retina MBP for photography work. The IPS display is vastly more color accurate, and the resolution really is so close to looking at an actual print that it's uncanny.

The main drawback is that as it stands, only iPhoto and Aperture actually work properly with the Retina screen. Photoshop (and presumably Lightroom) are yet to be updated, though Adobe is already working on it.

One thing that's nice is you can even see if images aren't sharp enough or whatever just from looking at preview icons in the Finder, so it makes a quick first editing pass super simple and fast.

I'd have loved if this was elaborated on in the article.. I've used the screen and I got to play with iPhoto on it but it didn't have aperture installed. I know Aperture well but not iPhoto.

I didn't see a way to zoom to 200%+ in iPhoto. I feel like that would become critical on this retina display. For certain steps of a workflow I want to be able to discern the pixels, and it's pretty hard on this display.

You gain a huge new capability in being able to assess what something is going to look like at print/near-print DPI, but the software definitely needs to be updated to make sure nothing is lost.

Ideally I'd love to see Aperture, Lightroom, etc.. pick up a slit pane viewer mode where the 1/2 the screen showed 1:1 on the retina display and the other half could show a 200% or 400% mode. It would be ideal for adjusting sharpening, noise reduction, etc...

For me though, this machine is not what I want other then that display. Something closer to the old MBP form factor with a matte finish screen would have been more tempting.

I've had mine for a week with lots of use finishing up a software release for my company. I bought the faster model with 16GB / 512GB. I already had a 7200 rpm 500GB drive and it is by far the biggest bottleneck in my old MBP. I also had 8GB of RAM which is essential for any decent amount of VMware use. When I had 4GB, OSX would start swapping at 3GB of use.

1. Display - I'm truly amazed every time I sit down and use it. What delights me is not just the screen, but the fact that I'm shocked at how good it is each time I use it.

2. Glossy vs Matte - I sweated this decision 3 years ago with my last MBP until I read some long forum thread debating them. The one post that summed it up was: "A glossy screen can be used in full sunlight just by tilting the screen to change the angle of the reflection. A matte screen difuses the incoming light making the whole screen glow bright white rendering it completely unusable."

3. Soldered RAM. I buy a MBP about every 4 years and they *always* cost $3,300. Whenever, I go to the apple store online and price one as if I were buying a replacement, they're always $3,300. $200 is not a large expense for a computer upon which I will easily log 50+ hours a week. Also, most people that work with their MBPs can earn that much in less than 2-3 days. Likewise for the battery. I haven't had to replace the battery in my 2009 MBP.

4. Size and weight, dongles, no optical drive, etc. I do large embedded operating system builds and need the power of the 15" pro. I also need the screen real estate for ui design. While on paper, the weight and size differences in the rMBP seem small, they are very noticeable in practice. I'm ok with all of the tradeoffs in exchange for less weight and bulk in my daily life.

5. Security: I've never used a kensington lock, but I tend to never let my laptop out of my sight either. Perhaps someone makes a car alarm for OSX that uses the accelerometer? That would be enough to stop casual theft, I think.

6. External storage (USB3, Thunderbolt). I've been envious of my Dell and Lenovo friends for years for their eSata ports. Well, it took over 5 years (at least), but Apple finally has a pro laptop with fast external storage. My cheap $390 business Lenovo laptop next to me has an eSata port and therefore faster external disk access than my older $3k+ MBP. I used to max out the internal storage for this reason, because running large 100GB VMs requires disk speed and FW800 just barely cut it in terms of day-to-day use. It's nice that I don't have to max out the internal drive anymore.

Bottom line, this machine is so worth it. It blows away my older 2009 MBP and that machine is still no slouch.

I was surprised to not see as a con that the battery replacement, which is not user replaceable, costs $200 - about 10% of the of the purchase price. That is a HUGE negative and financial consideration in deciding to purchase this machine.

The battery for my MacBook was $129, and it was much less than 95Whr. I agree it's a significant investment, but the capacity will still be at 80% after 1,000 charge cycles, which is almost three years. The same could not be said about the old swappable batteries on pre-unibody machines, or even unibody MBPs from a couple years ago.

Honestly, I think it's a wash—it lasts much longer than older batteries, but it costs more to replace one you finally get to that point.

There's likely some kind of operational reason that Apple limits the options on the $2,199 base configuration, but it honestly doesn't make sense to us. It seems more logical to start with the base configuration at $2199, then make all the RAM, SSD, and CPU options available build-to-order. If Apple wants an optional higher-end configuration to up-sell in its retail stores, we wouldn't argue against it. It just seems unfair to artificially limit the options at the lower end.FaceTime, among other things.

You're new here, aren't you?

Really? An operational reason? Uhm, Apple have been doing this for ever. Even in their consumer models - if you want a basic 21" iMac but with a 2TB drive you need to effectively pay £370 for an £80 disk. Paying £900 for the £500 SSD upgrade is a relative bargain.

Yes it is unfair but if you can afford to spend two-and-a-half to three grand on a laptop in the first place...

I agree with the others here who've actually got one. I just got a rMBP yesterday, the basic spec model. I'm upgrading from a 2008 MBP, so in performance terms this machine is vastly inferior, obviously. But the screen really is just irresistible. I love the fact that I can shrink down my dock into a tiny size yet all the icons remain perfectly sharp and detailed. As somebody above said, if you can't see how amazing this screen is, you're eyesight must just not be that sharp. I thought that I would actually use the display in hi-res mode, but after playing around with it for 24 hours now, I think I'll stick with retina mode for it's sheer lickability. It would be nice if applications started giving you Dock-style vector zoomability though for their UI features and toolboxes.

It got hot playing Civ 5 G&K, the only game I've tested, but I didn't feel like it was dramatically hotter than my old MBP did playing the same game (with epically lower graphics settings - the game flies with everything maxed out now!). The fan did not seem loud at all to me during this.

The only downside I've experienced are the applications that look a bit crusty under Retina mode. Chiefly Microsoft Word -- the UI actually is fine, but it's the text in the documents that comes out highly pixellated. If MS doesn't adjust soon -- which I fear is unlikely because the whole Office suite is probably built on its own, non-Cocoa display tech -- I might end up switching to alternatives for as much of my production process as possible (Scrivener, Mellel etc all look great). But it's definitely worth investigating if a vital app is deal-breakingly crusty for you before you plunge.

Also, why all the hatred for the Mac App Store? I love that I haven't had to use a DVD drive or transfer over any apps from my old machine. I just log into the App Store and download them, and have been able to do the same for MS Office, iTunes-bought media, Dropbox data. Most painless transition to a new computer ever for me, I haven't used a single disc, USB drive, or cable to load this up with all my apps and data.

Edit: the speakers are great by the way - noticeably louder and better-sounding than even recent MBPs I've heard. Great if you use your lappy as a TV...

I was surprised to not see as a con that the battery replacement, which is not user replaceable, costs $200 - about 10% of the of the purchase price. That is a HUGE negative and financial consideration in deciding to purchase this machine.

No it is not a huge consideration. If you have the need or if you have the wealth to spend two-and-a-half to three thousand pounds on a laptop then paying someone else to change your battery once every three or four years is not an issue. And the difference in price is not huge.

If I spec up a non-Retina 15" MBP with 8GB RAM and a 256GB SSD, the UK price is £1,979. If I take a base model Retina MBP (which already has those things) and add a SuperDrive for parity's sake, I'm at £1,865.

I don't get what the benefit of a retina display is on the MBP. I mean, one can argue that the iPhone may be held very close to your eyes from time to time, where the increased pixel density would actually make a difference. But a laptop? I'm sure the display looks very impressive when hunched over an inch away from the display, but in reality nobody is going to use one closer than 18-24 inches from their eyes. At that distance, it is physiologically impossible to perceive the increased pixel density over the last generation MBP. Seems like a lot of additional expense for something that is not really necessary.

As Retina displays get larger, high pixel density also means lots and lots more pixels. You can edit 1080p video unscaled in a corner of the screen, or a 5-megapixel image also at 1:1, on a laptop. If you see one in person, you should be able to tell the difference in sharpness because pre-Retina displays are that bad, so yes, text is sharper and icons more detailed.

If you can't see the difference, consult an eye-care professional. Or maybe it's a brain tumor.

The debate rages on about whether the soldered, non-upgradable RAM or the currently non-upgradable SSD are worthwhile tradeoffs. It's the only way to get a Retina display in a portable Mac right now, and we don't see Apple changing its mind on that point. At least the company still offers alternatives, for the time being. But Apple appears to be drawing a line in the sand; this is the future, so get used to it or get left behind.

This is a throw-back to the first generation of mass-market computers from the early 1980's. The main reason they did it at the time? Cost. But now, the main reasons are convenience (size & weight), alongside manufacturing cost & planned product obsolescence.

Quote:

Finally, it's worth pointing out that the 95Whr battery will cost $199 to replace once the lithium polymer chemistry starts to wear out in a few years. The battery is glued in and pretty much non-serviceable by users, so don't count on saving some money by doing it yourself. It's certainly something to consider as part of the Retina MacBook Pro's total cost of ownership.

Other laptop manufacturers are almost as bad. At least Apple is fussy when it comes to power control hardware/software (which keeps batteries in good condition for longer), and general quality control.

"Our review model is the base Retina MacBook Pro, which comes with a 2.3GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor. The processor can ramp up its raw clock speed to 3.3GHz using Turbo Boost, wherein one or more cores are shut off when running less than the maximum eight threads simultaneously."

If 7 threads were running all four cores would be up. It tries to fill physical threads (actual cores) over virtual threads (hyperthreading) to get the best performance. Even four threads would have all four cores active.

"Our review model is the base Retina MacBook Pro, which comes with a 2.3GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor. The processor can ramp up its raw clock speed to 3.3GHz using Turbo Boost, wherein one or more cores are shut off when running less than the maximum eight threads simultaneously."

If 7 threads were running all four cores would be up. It tries to fill physical threads (actual cores) over virtual threads (hyperthreading) to get the best performance. Even four threads would have all four cores active.

Even with 8 hardware threads running, if electrical and thermal restrictions aren't met (for example, if not all the threads are using all the available resources all the time), the CPU can turbo up. For this CPU (and I can't find a canonical reference for this, so apologies for not linking directly to anything), it appears that the limits are 3.3 GHz with one core active, 3.2GHz with two, and 3.1GHz with 3 or 4 cores active.

1 Lack of a Kensington lock. good. They're useless. Our computer labs stopped using them because they ear no deterrent to actual thieves. It's a expensive machine. Keep your flipping eyes on it.

2 Non-repairable. Hogwash. What this is is non-repairable by the average tinkerer. If that's important to you, this is not the machine for you. Apple will gladly repair these.

3 No Ethernet port- too bad. If Ethernet is important, buy the dongle. don't lose the dongle. You'rte a grown up. Take care of your things. If Ethernet is really important to you, buy a different machine.

4 Dongles are not pass through. tough. buy one of many breakout boxes available to you.

This machine is a future concept machine for early adapters. If that isn't you, stick with the other machine options available, all of which were significantly upgraded last week as well. Don't whine about what this machine doesn't have.

I love this logic, because you can basically handwave away any criticism.